Brest leave it late

Paul Baysse struck late on as Brest beat Evian 1-0 on Saturday night to bounce back from last week's defeat.

Paul Baysse struck late on as Brest beat Evian 1-0 on Saturday night to bounce back from last week's defeat. The Brittany club were beaten 1-0 in their curtain raiser against Nancy and it seemed they may have to be content with a goalless draw until Baysse headed home Bruno Grougi's free-kick. It was cruel on Evian, who saw Saber Khelifa thwarted on several occasions by Brest goalkeeper Alexis Thebaux. And the visitors are now in the lower reaches of the division following last week's 3-2 defeat at home to Bordeaux. They were quickest out of the blocks this evening, with Khelifa racing clear of the defence and forcing a fine save from Thebaux from a narrow angle. The keeper then denied the Tunisia international once more, tipping over Khelifa's fierce strike from the edge of the area. Brest slowly forced themselves back into the contest and Grougi struck inches wide after being teed up by Charlison Benschop. But it remained goalless at the interval after Gregory Lorenzi fired into the side netting from just inside the box. The hosts carried their momentum into the second half and Holland striker Benschop should have put them ahead after going clear but he failed to beat Evian keeper Bertrand Laquait. It was a let-off for the visitors and they responded with Khelifa once again to the fore. However, the 25-year-old's rasping strike produced another marvellous save from Thebaux to keep the scores level. Landry Chauvin's side regained the initiative, with Kamel Chafni's 20-yard effort rocketing narrowly over the bar and Grougi's deflected strike from distance just missed the target. It looked like they would have to settle for a share of the spoils despite their domination until Baysse sealed a late triumph. Grougi's free-kick went deep into the penalty area where Baysse rose to head powerfully past Laquait.